Warp-tension equalizer for looms



T. C. DEMERS WARP TENSION EQUALIZER FOR LOOMS Aug. 30, 1927. 1,641,024

Filed Jan. 13. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l T. C. DEMERS WARP TENSION EQUALIZER FOR LOOMS Aug. 30 1927.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13. 1926 7: C. Dealer-5'.

Aug. 30,1927.

1,641,024 T. C. DEMERS WARP TENSION EQUALIZER FOR LOOMS Filed Jan. 13. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 42 J3 J0 .ifw. 6 3 .2

III' 32 7TC..Z7emer5.

Aug. 30, 1927.

1,641,024 T. c. DEMERS WARP TENSION EQUALIZER FOR LOOMS Filed Jan. 15. 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 4 69 72 73 3 I M 65 |l 47 J5 if- ,7". 6'. flamers.

Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES TELESPHOBE G.,DEMERS, OF SPRII INGFIELD, 'VEBEONT.

WARP-TENSION EQUALIZEB FOR LOOKS.

Application filed January 18, 1926. Serial No. 81,008.

This invention relates to let-offs for looms and more particularly to a warp tension equalizing means for eliecting an even letofl of the warp as distinguished from a sudden and jerky let-oil.

It is a well known fact that in looms embodying a let-0E mechanism consisting of a system of levers and friction shoes frictional- -ly engaging the heads of the warp beam together with weights for imposing tension on the shoes through the lever systems, a sudden tension is imposedupon the warp threads with the result that the warp is let off with a sudden and jerky motion and, consequently, the cloth is unevenly woven and, therefore, has thick and thin places. Where such cloth is sheared, t-hefly blade of the.

shearing machine acts upon the thicker places in the cloth in a manner to cut or shear the same to a greater de ee than where the fly blade acts upon a t 'nner portion of the cloth, so that the cloth has a cloudy appear ance and. its commercial value is reduced.

with the heads of the warp beam, the

Weight sup ortin rods are. liable to be disturbed y o jects coming in contact therewith, as for example, the carry-' ing of warp beams ast the loom, and, as a consequence, a thin place is formed in the cloth, delaying the operation of the loom and frequently causing smash-ups. In consideration of the foregoing, it is the general object of the invention to provide a warp tension equalizer or let-oil which will be so constructed and function in such a manner as to insure of the warp being let off evenly and with a more or less steady motion, thereby avoiding the disadvantages attending the operation of a let-oil which permits the warp to have a jerky motion, the invention contemplatingat the same time, the provision of a let-ofi*' ot warp tension equalizer which will be adjustable to permit of the desired tension being imposed upon the Warp to insure of proper weaving and the production of cloth of uniform texture throughout.

Another disadvantage attending the use of let-off mechanisms embodying weights, is that these weights are ordinarily of one pound each and a line adjustment of the tension dis )osed upon the friction shoes cannot be e. tained and, therefore, the present invention has a further objectto provide means whereby an extremely fine adjustment may be obtained depending upon the character of the cloth or other material to be woven.

Another object of the invention is to provide a let-off which may be readily and quickly adjusted to permit of the removal of the friction shoes when changing warp beams and without disturbing the adjustment of that portion of the let-off mechanism which serves to equalize the tension on the warp.

In the acompanving drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one of the equalizers and the adjacent end of the warp beam.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectionalview taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fi ure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section, illustrating in detail the equalizer embodying the invention.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the equalizer, parts being shown in section.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section and partly in front elevation in detail.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view in detail, taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 7 is a detail vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 8 is a detail view in side elevation illustrating a portion of theiequalizer an showing a latch member constituting a part thereof, swung to releasing position.

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation, of the bearing for'the warp beam.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates one side of the rear end of the loom frame structure which, of course, may be ofany desired or standard formation, and each side member of the said frame structure an an integral fixed bearin section, inificated by the numeral 2, provi ed with a semicircular recess 3 matching with a recess 4 of corresponding shape formed in the opposin face of a bearing section 5 which is pivo at its lower end, as at 6, to-the section 2 and is normally held in a closed or upright position by means of a threaded stem 7 which is connected with the section 2 and onto which is threaded'a nut 8 bearing against the rear side of the section 5, the circular openings grovided by the recesses 3 and 4 accommoating the corres ndin warp beam 10, t e hea of the warp beam being indicated by the numeral 11, 1t being understood that only one end of the warp beam and one side of the frame structure is disclosed in the drawings, as these parts, as well as the tensioning equalizing mechanism embodying the invention, are duplicated at the 0 oslte side of theloom. The numeral 12 in icates the usual whip roll which is located' above the warp beam and over which the warp threads are passed to the harness of the loom.

Generally speaking, the invention may be said to comprlse a tension'ing means for the warp beam and an equalizing or shock absorbing means associated therewith. The tensionin means is associated directly with each hea of the warp beam and includesa friction shoe indicated in general by the numeral 13, which consists of an arcuate body member 14: to the concave side of which are secured a number of friction strips 15 of any metal found suitable for the purpose, flush or countersunk screws ldbeing preferably employed for this purpose. One end of the body member 14 o the friction shoe is provided with an outstanding lug 17 which is formed with a notch 18, and to the other end of the said body member 14, at the outer side thereof, there is riveted a steel band 19 which is provided with a lining 20 of leather or an other suitable friction material, the band being more or less flexible. The shoe body 14 encompasses the upper side of the respective head of the warp beam, and the band 19 extends about the remainder of the circumference of the said head and is provided at its free end with eyes 21 which accommodate the end portions of a transverse in 22 carried by a stem 23 which is engaged 1n the notch 18 in the lug 17 and is threaded, as at 24, for the application thereto of a wing nut 25, a compression s Jring 26 being arranged upon the stem and caring at one end against a washer 27, in turn bearing against tht up or side of the lug 17 and at its other end hearing against a washer 28 which is engaged by the said wing nut 25, it being understood that by adjusting the wing nut, against the tension of the spring 26, the friction unit as a whole may be suitably tightened about the head of the warp beam so as to frictionally resist rotative movement of the said beam. A means similar to the tensionin means disclosed has heretofore been an oyed as a substitute for a tensiontrunnions 9 of the posite directions from the sides of a sleeve 33 which is disposed between the said side members 30 of the yoke. In order that the studs 32 may be retained within the hearing ends of the recesses ill, a retaining latch 34 is mounted for pivotal movement upon a dowel pin 35, upon the outer side of each of the members 30 of the yoke 29 and each latch 34 is formed at one side with a boss :16, the edge of which is concentric to the respective dowel pin .35, and upon the corresponding edge of each latch there is provided a finger 37 which is spaced with relation to the said boss 36 so as to provide a recess 38. the inner end wall of which is of concave form to embrace one side of the shank of a securing screw 39 which is threaded into an opening 40 in the corresponding side member of the yoke. The finger 37 of each latch 34 is spaced inwardly from the free end of the latch, and one edge of the finger merges with the said edge of the latch on the arc of a circle, as indicated by the numeral 41, so as to partly embrace the respective stud 32 when the latch is swung upwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fi ure 3 and the dotted lines in Figure 8, it eing evident that when the latch is in this position and the corresponding screw 39 is tightened, the latch will be so held as to retain the respective stud 32 in the recess 31. It will be evident, on the other hand, that by loosening the screw 39, the latch may be swung downwardly substant-ially to the position shown in full lines in Figure 8, whereby to disengage from the respective stud 32. Therefore, by loosening the screws 39, the two latches may be swung downwardly so as to free the studs 32 and permit separation of the sleeve 33 from the yoke, or vice versa. It will also be evident by reference to Figure 8, that the boss 36 is at all times engaged behind the head of the respective securing screw 39, so that the latch cannot become disengaged from its pivot pin The par ose of this arrangement and construction 0 the parts will presently be more fully explained.

The numeral 42 indicates a barrel which is fitted through the bore of the sleeve 33 and which is exteriorly threaded from one end for 'a suitable portion of its length, as indicated by'the numeral -13. A nut 4A is threaded onto the barrel and bears at one end against one end of the sleeve 33, and a nut 45 is likewise threaded onto the barrel and bears against one end of a spacing sleeve or collar 46 which in turn, bears against the other end of the sleeve 33, so

2 one of its ends a hand wheel 48 through the medium of which it may be manually rotated, the hand wheel bearing numbers indicated by the numeral-49. upon its periphery, for a purpose to be presently explained. The plunger stem 47 is threaded from" its end which carries the hand wheel 48. for a suitable portion of its length, as indicated by the numeral 50, and the barrel 42 is interiorly threaded for aportion of its length as indicated by the numeral 51. so that the plunger stem may be adjusted longitudinally within the barrel by rotating the same through the medium of the said hand wheel. A hand wheel 52 having an interiorly threaded hub 53, is fitted onto the threaded portion of the plunger stem 47 and, after the plunger stem has been rotated, to obtain the desired adjustment, as will be'presently explained, the said hand wheel 52 may be rotated so as to causeits hub to bind against the adjacent end of the barrel 42, thereby locking the said plunger stem in its position of adjustment. At this point, it will be observed that the unthreaded end of the plunger stem projects a short distance be-- yond the corresponding end of the barrel 42.

The numeral 54 indicates a supporting bearing member which is preferably formed from a one-piece metal blank bent or otherwise shaped to provide spaced side members 55 and a laterally disposed hearing which comprises right angular upper and lower extensions 56 and 57 of the side members 55, these extensions bein joined by a connecting portion 58 whicii is of substantially semicircular shape in cross section so as to accommodate one side of the unthreaded portion of the barrel 42. The said member 54 is fixedly supported by being mounted upon any suitable fixed part of the frame work of the loom as for example a bracket member 59, which may extend from one of the side members 1 and which is received between the side members 55 of the sa d member 54, a bolt 60 being secured through the said side members 55 and the said bracket member 59, as clearly shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. A retaining block 61 is fitted betewen the upper and lower extensions 56 and 57 and one side of this block opposes the inner side of the connecting portion 58 of the bearing member and lightly engages the adjacent side of the barrel 42 so that the said barrel may have sliding Vmovement through the bight of the bear'ng member. The block 61 is secured in place by means of a set bolt 62 which is fitted through a slot 63 formed in the upper portion 56 of 'the' bearing member and threaded into the upper side of the block 61, it being understood that by loosening the set bolt, the block 61 may be adjusted away from the barrel 42 so as to permit displacement of the barrel laterally in the bearing member, and this is done when it becomes necessary to dismount the barrel and parts associated therewith and at the time the latches 34 are adjusted so as to release the studs 32 upon the sleeve 33 and at the time the warp beams are subst'tuted one for another. The bearing member 54 supports an abutment member which is indicated in general by the 1 numeral 64 and which is preferably formed from a single blank. of sheet metal which is fashioned to provide spaced s'de portions 65 and aconnectin'g portion 66. The spaced side portions 65 are formed with openings 67 and the said abutment member is so arranged that its side portions 65 w ll extend one beside the outer side of one of the side members 55 of the bearing member 54, and the other beside the bight portion 58 of said bearing member with the open'ng 67 in the first mentioned side portion 65 located opposite the threaded opening 68 in the first mentioned side member 55 and with the opening 67 in the second mentioned side portion 65 located opposite a threaded opening 69 in the said bight portion 58. A bolt 70 is fitted through the opening 67 in the first mentioned side portion 65 of the abutment member and threaded into the opening 68 in the bearing mem-' ber 54, anda sim'lar bolt 71 is fitted through the opening 67 in'the other side portion of the abutment member and threaded into the opening 69, the said bolt 71 having a reduced unthreaded end portion 72 which engages in a slot 73 formed in the s'de of the barrel 42. The engagement of the end 72 of the bolt 71 in the slot 73 in the barrel 42 serves to limit the sliding movement of the barrel under operating conditions presently to b explained. In order to provide aga'nst any displacement of the abutment member 64, dowel pins 74 are fitted through openings in the side portions 65 of the said abutment member and into openings formed in the adjacent portions of the bear'ng member 54. It will be observed that the connect-' end of which projects beyond the end of the till tlti

l intent.

barrel 42, being presented to the said connecting portion of the abutment member and being. adjustable with relation thereto through rotation of the plunger stem.

A washer 75 is arranged upon the barrel 42 against the nut 44 and a similar washer 76 is arranged upon the barrel against the adjacent side of the lateral bearing of the bearing member 54, and an equalizing spring of the compression type, indicated by the numeral 77, is arranged upon the barrel and bears against said washers T5 and 76, the tendency of the spring being to shift the barrel in a direction away from the bearing member in which its unthreaded end is rcceived. It desired, a portion of the bracket 59 may be arranged to extend upwardly into the space between a part of the connecting portion tilt of the abutment member and the opposing portion of the bearing member 54, as shown in Figure 9.

It is a well known fact that in the operation of a loom embodying merely a tension ing means for the warp beam such as the friction means hereinbefore described, the operation of the takeup motion at the front of the loom, the beating up of the lay, and the opening and closing of the shed are likely to cause a jerky pull upon the warp at the time of passage of the shuttle through the shed but while the friction tensioning means is intended to compensate for this jerky pull and maintain the warp suitably tensioned. this is not, in fact, always accomplished, and as a result the product is of an inferior quality. It is with the object in view of overcoming this disadvantage and maintaining the warp tensioned at all times, that the equalizing mechanism embodyin the invention and hereinbefore describe has been devised, this being accomplished by providing for equalization of the tension on the warp between the taken 1 and let-elf motions. so that when the lay eats up against the cloth, the warp will be under a desired degree of tension in accordance with the character of the woven material to be produced and whether it be light or heavy or loosely or closely woven.

in the operation of the loom, equipped with the warp tension equaliser embodying the. invention, the plunger stem at? is first rotated through the medium oi the hand wheel until, by observing the indicating numerals upon the periphery ol the hand wheel. the. loom fixer has adjusted the plan gar stem to bring the unthreailcd allotment end thereof to a position spaceiil from the abutment lit) a distance equal to the distance ot movement oi the warp at each pich' 0i? the loom, as previously iletermined, as llor example, one twenty-sixth ot an inch, and the hand whee lift is then adjusted to iuclr the plunger atom in its poai .o olihdjust- .dtlll the moment the e up" motion friction band 19. At this time, the shuttle is about to pass through the shed, and as the harnesses are moved to open the shed, the warp is relieved of the tension to which it was subjected by the take-up motion, and the equalizer spring 77, which is at this time still under tension, immediately acts to shift the barrel -12 in a rearward direction, thereby imparting rotary motion to the Warp beam to an extent sufiicient to suitably tension the warp, this rearward movement of the barrel 12 being limited by the enga ement of the forward end of the slot 3 against the reduced end 72 of the bolt 71. It will be evident at this point that while the rearward movement of the plunger is limitcd by the engagement of the said end wall of the slot with the reduced end of the said bolt. this is entirely independent of the forward movement of the plunger stem 47 in unison with the said barrel, as the extent of this movement is regulated in accordance with the adjustment of the said plunger stem and the distance between its abutting end and the abutment (36. It will now be evident that not only is the sudden pull which is exerted u on the warp at the moment of operation 0 the take-up motion rendered more even and gradual than in instances where the ordinary types of let-oils are employed, but likewise, after the shuttle has passed through the shed and the shed is about to close, the warp is suitably tensioned through the action of the equalizer spring 77, thereby resulting in a very uniform weaving oi the cloth or other material without any liability whatsoever of any inequalities or thin places appearing in the finished product.

As before stated, the plunger stem 47 may be adjusted so as to osition the en aging or abutting end thereo at any desire distance spaced from filo abutment G6, the numerals which are. upon the peri ihery of the adjusting hand wheel 48 permitting the loom fixer to determine with a greater or less degree of accuracy the degree of adjustment, and by adjusting the said plunger stem, the tension e .ualizer embodying the invention may be ac apted for operation oi the loom in connection with which it is employed, to weave fabrics oi various kinds. Thus, while a slow operating harness motion is generally accopied by the loom liner the one to be pre Ferrell, the tension equaliser embodying the invention may be equally as well adapted to operate where a taster operation of the harspaced approximately one twenty-sixth of ness is preferred. It will, therefore, be evident that the tension equalizer embodying the invention is adapted for universal application and that it may be applied to'looms of various types to great advantage.

In the specific example of adjustment given above, the engaging end of the plun er stem has been adjusted to occupy a position an inch from the abutment 66, but in some mills, cotton warp and shoddy fillings are used and inasmuch as there is but little yield in cotton warp, the said plunger stem is, under these conditions, adjusted to bring its engaging end to osition approximately a uarter of an inc from the abutment, so

t at the plun er will move a greater distance at the time 0 operation of the take-up motion of the loom than would otherwise be necessary or desirable. inasmuch as the filling of shoddy is very uneven and lumpy. Likewise, when weaving material which has no property of extensibility, such for exam le as the weaving of wire screen materia the plunger stem will be adjusted so as to space its engaging end a maximum distance from the abutment 66. On the other hand, where the material is to be loosely woven and there are, for example, foui'teen picks of the loom per inch of material, and

ut little tension is required to maintain the warp sufliciently taut, the plunger rod 47- will be so adjusted as to bring its abutment end directly in contact with the abutment 66, under which conditions, the equalizer is rendercd inactive except that it then constitutes a rigid holding means for the friction assemblage comprising the shoe 13 and friction band 19, and tension is imposed solely through the medium of the s ring 26 which, under the previously descri ed conditions, serves its usual purpose.

The spring 77, which serves to equalize the tension on the war after it has been moved by the operation 0 take-up motion, may be a metal spring or it may be of leather or rubber,'d'e nding entirel upon a the character of t e material to be woven, and it -mayhave the cross sectional contour of any of the well knownty es of springs.

It will be evident rom the foregoing description that, after the equalizer mechanism has been once adjusted in accordance with the character of the material to be woven and likewise in accordance with the pick of the loom which is to prevail during the operation thereof, no further attention need be given the said mechanism, it being merely necessary for the attendant at the loom to ad'ust the tension of the spring 26 when a full warp beam is substituted for an ex haustedone.

I It will also be evident from the foregoin descri tion that the substitution of a in warp am for an exhausted one may be .mit of dropping of the latches 34 to permit of relative separation of the tension equalizcr and the friction shoe 13.

It will be understood that the equalizer spring 77 will be so tensioned that it will yieldably resist movement of the tension unit comprising the shoe 13 and band 19, in the initial action of the let-off mechanism and until the abutting end of the plunger stem 47 has been brought into engagement with the abutment 66, whereupon this resistance will be overcome to permit of rotative movement of the warp beam against the resistance offered by the said friction unit, with a final backward movement of the warp beam and friction unit under the-influence of the said spring 77.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a let-oft mechanism for looms, the combination with the warp beam, of a frictional tension unit coacting with the head thereof and means coacting with the tension unit for yieldably resisting movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam, said means comprising a barrel mounted upon the said unit, a plunger stem adjustably threaded in the barrel and having an abutment end projecting beyond one end of the barrel, a spring coacting with the barrel and yieldably resisting movement of the said barrel in the direction to permit of movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam, means for positively resisting move" ment of the said plunger stem comprising an abutment positioned for engagement by the plunger stem when the same has been moved through the let-ofl' pull of the warp from the beam, said spring constituting means for reversely moving the said beam through the medium of the said barrel and tension unit to tension the warp.

2. In a let-off mechanism for looms, the combination with the warp beam,-of a frictional tension unit coacting with the head thereof, a barrel upon a member of the said unit, a bearing for one end of the barrel, a lunger adjustably fitted in the barrel and having an abutment end projecting beyond the said end of the barrel, an abutment upon the bearing for engagement by the said end of the plunger, and a spring upon the barrel coacting therewith to urge the same in one direction, the said spring constituting means, acting through the barrel, for yieldably resisting movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam and for reversely moving the said unit and beam after the letoff pull of the warp and when the warp beam is relieved of tension, the engagement of the plunger against the abutment acting to positively resist movement of the said unit during the let-of movement of the warp beam.

3. In a let-ofi" mechanism for looms, the combination with the warp beam, of a frictional tension unit coacting with the head thereof, a bearing member 511 ported upon a member of the said unit, a arrel adjustably fitted through the said bearing member for longitudinal adjustment, a second bearin for one end of the barrel, a plunger ad ustably fitted in the barrel and having an abutment end projecting beyond the said end of the barrel, an abutment upon the last mentioned bearing for engagement by the said end of the plunger, and a spring upon the barrel coacting therewith to urge the same in one direction, the spring constituting means, acting through the barrel, for yieldably resisting movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam and for reversely moving the said unit and beam after the let-olf pull of the warp and when the we is relieved of tension, the engagement 0 the plunger against the abutment acting to ositlvely resist movement of the said unit uring the let-ofi' movement of the warp beam.

i. In a let-ofl' mechanism for looms, the combination with'a war beam, of a frictional tension unit coacting with the head thereof, a bearing member supported upon a member of the said unit, a barrel adjust ably fitted through the said bearing member for longitudinal adjustment, a second bcaring for one end of the barrel, a plunger adjustably fitted in the barrel and having an abutment end )rojecting beyond the said end of the barre, an abutment upon the last mentioned bearing for engagement by the said end of the plunger, a spring upon the barrel coacting therewith to urge the same in one direction, the spring constituting means, acting through the barrel, for yieldably resisting movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam and for reversely moving the said unit and beam after the let-off pull of the Warp and when the war is relieved of tension, the engagement 0 the plunger against the abutment acting to ositively resist movement of the said unit uring the let-oil movement of the warp beam, and means for limiting the movement of the barrel in the direction in which it is urged by -the said spring.

5. In a letoti' mechanism for looms, the combination with the warp beam, of a trictional tension unit coacting with the head thereof, a bearing member supported upon a member of the said unit, abarrel adjustably fitted throu h the said bearing member for longitudinal adjustment, a second bearing for one end of the barrel, :1, plunger adjustably fitted in the barrel and having an abutment end projecting beyond the said end of the barrel, an abutment upon the last mentioned bearing for engagement by the said end of the plunger, a spring upon the barrel coacting therewith to urge the same in one direction, the spring constituting means, acting through the barrel, for yieldably resisting movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam and for reversely moving the said unit and beam after the let-off pull of the warp and when the. war) is relieved of tension, the engagement ot the lunger against the abutment acting to positively resist movement of the said unit during the let-off movementof the warp beam, and means for limiting the movement. of the barrel in the direction in which it is urged by the said spring, the said means comprising a stop element carried by the second mentioned bearing, the said barrel having a slot accommodating the said stop element.

0. In a let-oil mechanism for looms, the combination with the warp beam, of a frictional tension unit coacting with the head thereof and includin a shoe engaging the upper side of the said head and a friction band connected with the shoe, and spring means connecting the other end of the band and'shoe to tension the shoe and band about the head, a yoke upon the shoe including spaced side members, a bearing sleeve having studs mounted in the spaced side members of the yoke, the said side members of the yoke having recesses opening through one side thereof to accommodate said studs and provide for engagement and disengagement of the studs with and 'from the said yoke, releasable latch members mounted upon the said sides of the yoke and adjustable into and out of position to close the said ope'nings in the side members of the yoke and engage the said studs to retain the same in the said openings in the said side members, a barrel fitted through the said hearing and adjustable longitudinally therein, .means for holding the barrel in positions of adjustment, a plunger adjustably fitted in the barrel and having an abutment end.

projecting beyond one end of the barrel, an abutmentfor engagement by the said end of the plunger, and a spring upon the barrel coactlng therewith to urge the same in one direction, the said spring constituting means, acting through the barrel, for yieldably resisting movement of the tension unit together with the warp beam and for reversely moving the said unit'and beam after the let-oil pull of the warp and when the warp is relieved of tension, the engagement of the plunger against the abutment acting to positively resist movement oi. the said unit during the let-off uiovement of the warp beam.

In testimony whereof TELESPHORE C,

I afhx my signature.

DEMERS. 1 a] a 

